Telephone Expressions ☎️
What do you say to answer the phone?
Hello!
What does "hang up" mean?
To end the call
Give a more polite way of asking "Who are you?" when answering the phone
Who's calling please?
To whom am I speaking?
May I ask who's calling?
What do you say if someone asks, Is this a good time to talk?
Answer for Yes and No
Yes, it is. / No, can I call you later?
You need to see a doctor. What do you say when you call the clinic?
Hello, I’d like to book an appointment with [doctor’s name], please.
How do you ask someone to wait?
Could you hold on please?
If someone says, "I’ll call you back," what will they do?
They will phone you later.
What should you say if you didn’t hear the other person?
Could you repeat that please?
How do you ask for someone’s phone number?
What's your (telephone) number?
Can I take/have your number?
You’re planning a meal out with three friends. What do you say when you call the restaurant?
Hi, I’d like to book a table for four at [time], please.
What do you say to ask to speak to someone?
Can I speak to [name], please?"
What does "pick up" mean?
To answer the phone.
How do you ask someone to speak louder?
Could you speak up, please?
What do you say if you want to know why someone is calling?
What’s this regarding? / What’s this about?
You realise you have two meetings booked for 3 PM. Call one of the secretaries, explain the situation, and find a solution.
Hi, this is [your name]. I just noticed I have two meetings at 3 PM. Could we reschedule one of them to [new time]?
How do you ask who is calling?
May I ask who’s calling?
Can I ask who's calling?
Who's there, please?
Who's speaking, please?
What does to "cut off" or to "hang up" mean?
To end the call
What should you say if you need to put someone on hold?
Could you hold on a moment, please?
What do you say if you can’t hear the other person well?
I’m sorry, the connection is bad. Could you speak louder, please?
You didn’t catch the exact time of your appointment. How do you ask the receptionist to clarify?
(I’m sorry) Could you confirm the time of my appointment again, please?
If someone says, "I’ll put you through," what will they do?
They will connect/transfer you to another person.
What does "get through" mean?
To successfully connect to someone on the phone.
Someone answers the phone, they are the wrong person, how can you check this?
You can say:
Who's speaking, please? I'm would like to speak to (name).
I’m sorry, I think I’ve dialled the wrong number.
If someone asks, Is Susan available?, what do you say if that person is not there?
I’m sorry, Susan isn’t available right now. Can I take a message?
You need to change the date of the meeting that is booked in a hotel conference room.
From Monday 5th to Wednesday 7th.
Hello, I'd like to reschedule/postpone/change/alter the reservation of the room from .... etc.